Crime Scene Investigation Lab Local Drug Ring Uncovered! Or is it just a prank?
MissionStatement Ponaganset High School students will be reflective learners, critical thinkers, problem solvers, independent researchers, and effective communicators. Our students are taught to live a healthy lifestyle and to respect the dignity and rights of others so they can succeed at life, work, post-secondary pursuits and citizenship.
PGE’s PS1 Identifies a problem; gathers and assesses information, generates and refines solutions, and communicates the findings.
W2 Creates informational writing (research papers, reports, procedures or persuasive writing) that effectively organizes ideas / concepts (GSE - W-6), conveys purpose (GSE - W-7), and uses elaboration strategies (GSE - W-8) Objectives: You will perform a series of tests to determine the physical and chemical properties of several unknown powders. You will utilize your test results to identify an unknown substance.
Background Information: On her last visit to a local high school, Tonka the drug dog found several bags filled with a white powder. Before charges can be filed, the identity of the powders must be established. The baggies were taken from various student lockers, and one was also found in a substitute teacher’s bag. All suspects are claiming to be completely innocent and wrongly accused of possessing any drugs, however, it is up to you to decide their fate!
Our classroom has been asked to analyze the powders and identify them. Due to limitation in equipment in our classroom, we will use a simple series of tests to determine the identity of the powders. Six unknown white powders have been provided. They all seem pretty similar in basic appearance and odor. You must put them through a number of tests to see which of them your unknown substance most resembles based on its various states of matter. A substance may be identified by its physical and chemical properties.
-Physical Properties (Qualities of a substance that can be observed without changing the substances composition) include:
· Solutbility ( does it dissolve easily in other substances?)
· Color
· Structure (what do individual pieces look like?)
· Malleability (ability to be shaped by rolling or stretching)
· Melting Point (Point the substance changes to a liquid state)
-Or chemical properties ( ability of a substance to form new substances in a chemical reaction): Observing how the substance behaves in the presence of other substances.
Our Challenge:
To determine the identity of the white powders confiscated from the defendants by characterizing its chemical and physical properties. This list is a brief overview of the white powders previously discovered in the area by local police departments:
Brogaine: a mild hallucinogen. First offense is usually probation.
Speclate : a mild stimulant; Often results in psychological dependence. First offense results in 6 months to 1 year in prison.
Rotaran: a strong stimulant; Causes physical dependence. First offense results in 1 year to 3 years in prison.
Barrop: a moderate depressant; Causes physical dependence. First offense results in 1 year to 3 years in prison.
Lixonin: a strong narcotic that causes physical and psychological dependence. First offense can result in 5 to 10 years in prison.
Table salt: this was found in one student's locker as a joke. The prank resulted in suspension.
Materials Samples of the six white powders (A, B. C, D, E, F) in individual zip lock plastic bags:
· A -Brogaine
· B -Speclate
· C -Rotaran
· D -Barrop
· E -Lixonin
· F -Table salt
· Spoon
· Medicine dropper
· Hand lens
· Acetic Acid
· Black construction paper
· Distilled water
· Aluminum foil
· Sodium carbonate solution
· Hot plate
· Test tubes
· Sharpie
· Stirring rod
· Lugol’s solution
· Unknown sample in a zip lock bag (1 sample for each group)
Procedure Part A: Developing a positive test for the six known powders
Obtain a zip lock bag of each of the six known samples A through F. Record your results for tests conducted on the six known powders in Data Table I. If nothing happens in a specific test on a known substance, record ND (no data) in the proper location on the data table. At the end of Part A, you should have something written in each box on the chart.
1. Place a small amount of sample A on the black paper and observe its appearance with a hand lens. Record your results. Repeat this for samples B through F. Dispose of the samples and the paper in the waste disposal can.
2. Place 1/2 teaspoon of sample A in a test tube. Add 10 drops of acetic
acid to the test tube. Record your observations. Repeat this test with the remaining five powders. Wash out each test tube.
3. Label the six pieces of aluminum foil with A, B. C, D, E, F. Place 1/2 teaspoon of each of the six samples on the appropriate piece of foil. Place the six squares of foil on a hot plate set at a medium setting. Observe each for several minutes, noting times when substance may have melted. Record your results. Dispose of the foil and contents.
4. Place 1/2 teaspoon of sample A in a test tube. Add 10 mL of distilled water. Stopper the test tube and shake for a few seconds. Record your observations. Repeat this for the remaining samples. DO NOT dispose of the samples, you need them for the next step!
5. Using the six test tubes from step 4, add 5ml of sodium carbonate solution to each test tube. Observe and record what occurs in each test tube. Wash out the test tubes.
6. Place 1/2 teaspoon of each sample in a clean test tube. Add 10 drops of Lugol’s solution to each test tube. Record your results. Wash out all test tubes.
Procedure Part B: Identification of an unknown substance
You now have the test results for each white powder on Data Table 1. These results will help you to determine the identity of an unknown substance by comparison. Several unknown substances were discovered in student lockers today. Different forensic teams have been asked to identify some of the unknowns. In Data Table 2, write down the number of the zip lock bag whose contents you will analyze. This number indicates the locker from which the baggie was taken. Compare your results with those in Data Table I to determine what substance the student had in his or her locker. Be careful! Your results will determine whether or not charges should be pressed against the student.
1. Write down the locker number on the bag in Data Table 2.
2. Perform all the tests you performed in Part A on this unknown substance. Record your findings on Data Table 2.
3. Compare the results in Data Table 2 with the results in Data Table 1.
Data Table 1 Observations from tests done with white powders
Names of Unknown
Substances
Observation
With hand lens
Addition of vinegar
Hot plate results
Addition of water
Addition of sodium carbonate
Addition of Lugol’s solution
A-Brogaine
B-Speclate
C-Rotoran
D- Barrop
E-Lixonin
F- Table Salt
Data Table 2 Reacation of Powders to chemical tests.
Hand Lens Observation
Addition of vinegar
Hot Plate Results
Addition of water
Addition of Sodium Carbonate
Addition of Lugol’s Solution
Unknown Sample
#_
Identification of your unknown substance:
Was the powder that you examined in Part B one of the illegal drugs or was it legal? Explain how you arrived at this conclusion.
Explain why forensic scientists must be very accurate when examining substances in the laboratory.
Explain why Part A was a vital part of this experiment.
Name a couple of things that were different about the substances that you looked at. Why do you think different substances resulted in different reactions and observations?
3. Of the properties you examined in Part A and Part B, which ones are PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES and which one CHEMICAL PROPERTIES?
Crime Scene Investigation Lab
Local Drug Ring Uncovered! Or is it just a prank?
Mission Statement
Ponaganset High School students will be reflective learners, critical thinkers, problem solvers, independent researchers, and effective communicators. Our students are taught to live a healthy lifestyle and to respect the dignity and rights of others so they can succeed at life, work, post-secondary pursuits and citizenship.
PGE’s
PS1 Identifies a problem; gathers and assesses information, generates and refines solutions, and communicates the findings.
W2 Creates informational writing (research papers, reports, procedures or persuasive writing) that effectively organizes ideas / concepts (GSE - W-6), conveys purpose (GSE - W-7), and uses elaboration strategies (GSE - W-8)
Objectives:
You will perform a series of tests to determine the physical and chemical properties of several unknown powders. You will utilize your test results to identify an unknown substance.
Background Information:
On her last visit to a local high school, Tonka the drug dog found several bags filled with a white powder. Before charges can be filed, the identity of the powders must be established. The baggies were taken from various student lockers, and one was also found in a substitute teacher’s bag. All suspects are claiming to be completely innocent and wrongly accused of possessing any drugs, however, it is up to you to decide their fate!
Our classroom has been asked to analyze the powders and identify them. Due to limitation in equipment in our classroom, we will use a simple series of tests to determine the identity of the powders. Six unknown white powders have been provided. They all seem pretty similar in basic appearance and odor. You must put them through a number of tests to see which of them your unknown substance most resembles based on its various states of matter. A substance may be identified by its physical and chemical properties.
-Physical Properties (Qualities of a substance that can be observed without changing the substances composition) include:
· Solutbility ( does it dissolve easily in other substances?)
· Color
· Structure (what do individual pieces look like?)
· Malleability (ability to be shaped by rolling or stretching)
· Melting Point (Point the substance changes to a liquid state)
-Or chemical properties ( ability of a substance to form new substances in a chemical reaction): Observing how the substance behaves in the presence of other substances.
Our Challenge:
To determine the identity of the white powders confiscated from the defendants by characterizing its chemical and physical properties.
This list is a brief overview of the white powders previously discovered in the area by local police departments:
Brogaine: a mild hallucinogen. First offense is usually probation.
Speclate : a mild stimulant; Often results in psychological dependence. First offense results in 6 months to 1 year in prison.
Rotaran: a strong stimulant; Causes physical dependence. First offense results in 1 year to 3 years in prison.
Barrop: a moderate depressant; Causes physical dependence. First offense results in 1 year to 3 years in prison.
Lixonin: a strong narcotic that causes physical and psychological dependence. First offense can result in 5 to 10 years in prison.
Table salt: this was found in one student's locker as a joke. The prank resulted in suspension.
Materials
Samples of the six white powders (A, B. C, D, E, F) in individual zip lock plastic bags:
· A -Brogaine
· B -Speclate
· C -Rotaran
· D -Barrop
· E -Lixonin
· F -Table salt
· Spoon
· Medicine dropper
· Hand lens
· Acetic Acid
· Black construction paper
· Distilled water
· Aluminum foil
· Sodium carbonate solution
· Hot plate
· Test tubes
· Sharpie
· Stirring rod
· Lugol’s solution
· Unknown sample in a zip lock bag (1 sample for each group)
Procedure Part A: Developing a positive test for the six known powders
Obtain a zip lock bag of each of the six known samples A through F. Record your results for tests conducted on the six known powders in Data Table I. If nothing happens in a specific test on a known substance, record ND (no data) in the proper location on the data table. At the end of Part A, you should have something written in each box on the chart.
1. Place a small amount of sample A on the black paper and observe its appearance with a hand lens. Record your results. Repeat this for samples B through F. Dispose of the samples and the paper in the waste disposal can.
2. Place 1/2 teaspoon of sample A in a test tube. Add 10 drops of acetic
acid to the test tube. Record your observations. Repeat this test with the remaining five powders. Wash out each test tube.
3. Label the six pieces of aluminum foil with A, B. C, D, E, F. Place 1/2 teaspoon of each of the six samples on the appropriate piece of foil. Place the six squares of foil on a hot plate set at a medium setting. Observe each for several minutes, noting times when substance may have melted. Record your results. Dispose of the foil and contents.
4. Place 1/2 teaspoon of sample A in a test tube. Add 10 mL of distilled water. Stopper the test tube and shake for a few seconds. Record your observations. Repeat this for the remaining samples. DO NOT dispose of the samples, you need them for the next step!
5. Using the six test tubes from step 4, add 5ml of sodium carbonate solution to each test tube. Observe and record what occurs in each test tube. Wash out the test tubes.
6. Place 1/2 teaspoon of each sample in a clean test tube. Add 10 drops of Lugol’s solution to each test tube. Record your results. Wash out all test tubes.
Procedure Part B:
Identification of an unknown substance
You now have the test results for each white powder on Data Table 1. These results will help you to determine the identity of an unknown substance by comparison. Several unknown substances were discovered in student lockers today. Different forensic teams have been asked to identify some of the unknowns. In Data Table 2, write down the number of the zip lock bag whose contents you will analyze. This number indicates the locker from which the baggie was taken. Compare your results with those in Data Table I to determine what substance the student had in his or her locker. Be careful! Your results will determine whether or not charges should be pressed against the student.
1. Write down the locker number on the bag in Data Table 2.
2. Perform all the tests you performed in Part A on this unknown substance. Record your findings on Data Table 2.
3. Compare the results in Data Table 2 with the results in Data Table 1.
Data Table 1
Observations from tests done with white powders
Substances
With hand lens
Data Table 2
Reacation of Powders to chemical tests.
#_
Identification of your unknown substance:
- Explain why Part A was a vital part of this experiment.
- Name a couple of things that were different about the substances that you looked at. Why do you think different substances resulted in different reactions and observations?
3. Of the properties you examined in Part A and Part B, which ones are PHYSICALPROPERTIES and which one CHEMICAL PROPERTIES?
Color
Texture_
Reaction with acetic acid_
Reaction with water_
Reaction with Sodium Carbonate_
Reaction with Lugol’s Solution